Two protesters from environmental pressure group Greenpeace have been arrested at a McDonald's fast food outlet in Manchester city centre.

Police said a man and a woman who had chained themselves to pillars in the Oxford Street restaurant were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

Greenpeace said people dressed as chickens were protesting at McDonald's environmental policies.

McDonald's said it took its responsibilities seriously.

A small number of demonstrators remained outside McDonald's in Manchester and were protesting peacefully, Greater Manchester Police said.

They added that those arrested were a 39-year-old man from Longsight and a 25-year-old woman from Wigan.

Greenpeace said it was demonstrating against the purchase of soya from the Amazon rainforest to feed McDonald's chickens.

We can confirm that we will be investigating the claim made by Greenpeace in full

McDonald's spokesman

A spokesman claimed rainforest was being cut down to build soya farms.

McDonald's said it would be investigating Greenpeace's allegations.

A spokesman said: "We are disappointed when people turn to vandalism to express their views.

"Worldwide, we take our supply chain and environmental responsibilities very seriously.

"We can confirm that we will be investigating the claim made by Greenpeace in full and will review it for consistency in line with our existing policy not to source beef from recently deforested areas."

Greenpeace said it had also fly-posted other restaurants across the city.

The group said "chickens" had also chained themselves to stores in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton.